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MARCH 13-28
The masterly films of Chinese “Fifth Generation” director Zhang Yimou are notable for their elegantly color-coordinated compositions, but you needn’t know that many have been banned at home to also feel their emotional (and hence political) power. This miniretrospective doesn’t offer anything that hasn’t been available in local commercial theaters, but it’s a fine opportunity to catch ones you haven’t seen or re-view ones you have. Included are Red Sorghum (March 13, 8 p.m.; March 15, 6:30 p.m.), Ju Dou (March 16, 6:30 p.m.; March 19, 1:30 & 8:45 p.m.), and Raise the Red Lantern (March 20 & 21, 8:30 p.m.), all about women trapped by patriarchy in feudal China, as well as The Story of Qui Ju (pictured, March 23, 6:30 p.m.; March 24, 8:45 p.m.) and To Live (March 26, 2 p.m.; March 28, 8:30 p.m.), in which Zhang brings his concerns (and his style) into modern times. At the Kennedy Center’s American Film Institute Theater. $6. (202) 785-4601. (Mark Jenkins)